Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment Program is one of the world’s most accessible routes to a second passport. By purchasing real estate worth at least $400,000 USD, you can obtain full Turkish citizenship for yourself and your family — without any language test, residency requirement, or waiting period.
What Is the Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program?
Launched in January 2017, Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program offers foreign nationals a fast-track route to Turkish citizenship through qualifying investments. Real estate investment accounts for over 90% of all applications. The program is administered by the Turkish Ministry of Interior and General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM).
Turkish Citizenship Requirements 2026
To qualify for Turkish citizenship through real estate investment, you must:
- Purchase one or more properties with a combined cadastral value of at least $400,000 USD
- Have the properties officially appraised by a licensed Turkish appraiser (SPK-certified)
- Register the property with an annotated title deed (TAPU) preventing sale for 3 years
- Submit a citizenship application with the required documents
- Hold the property for a minimum of 3 years (you may rent it out during this period)
What types of property qualify?
- Residential apartments and villas ✅
- Commercial properties ✅
- Land plots ✅
- Off-plan (under construction) properties ✅ — provided the developer has a completion guarantee
- Jointly purchased properties ✅ — provided each co-owner’s share meets the $400,000 threshold individually
Who is included in the citizenship application?
The primary applicant (the property owner), spouse, and children under 18 years old. All eligible family members receive Turkish citizenship simultaneously, including full passports.
Benefits of Turkish Citizenship
1. Turkish Passport — Visa-Free Travel to 110+ Countries
A Turkish passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 110 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, most of Latin America, and all Balkan states.
2. US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
Turkish citizens are eligible to apply for a US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, which allows you to live and work in the United States by making a qualifying investment in a US business.
3. No Residency Requirement
You are not required to live in Turkey at any point — before, during, or after the citizenship process.
4. Dual Citizenship Permitted
Turkey fully allows dual and even multiple citizenships. You do not need to renounce your current citizenship or passport.
5. Lifetime Citizenship
Turkish citizenship, once granted, is permanent and inheritable. Your children and grandchildren born after you obtain citizenship will automatically be Turkish citizens by birth.
6. Rental Income While You Wait
During the mandatory 3-year holding period, you are free to rent your property. Istanbul properties are currently achieving gross rental yields of 5–12% per year.
7. Fast Processing — 3 to 6 Months
The full citizenship process from property purchase to passport delivery typically takes 3 to 6 months — one of the fastest timelines of any citizenship by investment program in the world.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Choose Your Property (1–2 weeks)
Work with Sun & Sands to select one or more properties totalling $400,000+ in cadastral value. Our team guides you toward properties with strong rental yield and capital growth potential.
Step 2: Property Appraisal (3–5 days)
An SPK-certified independent appraiser conducts a formal valuation confirming the property meets the $400,000 threshold.
Step 3: Due Diligence (1–2 weeks)
Our legal team conducts full due diligence: title deed search, confirmation of no debts or encumbrances, planning status verification.
Step 4: Transfer Funds and Purchase (1–2 weeks)
Funds are transferred to a Turkish bank account and then to the seller via the official banking system. Turkey requires documented proof of funds transfer from abroad.
Step 5: Obtain TAPU with Citizenship Annotation (1 week)
The land registry issues your title deed with an official annotation confirming the 3-year non-sale restriction.
Step 6: Open a Bank Account and Tax Number (1–2 days)
Both are required for the citizenship application. Sun & Sands assists with both.
Step 7: Submit Citizenship Application (1–2 weeks to prepare)
Required documents include: certified TAPU, SPK appraisal report, bank transfer receipts, valid passports, birth certificates, marriage certificate, photos and biometric data.
Step 8: Government Review (3–4 months)
The Turkish government reviews your application. Once approved, a Presidential Decree is issued.
Step 9: Receive Turkish ID and Passport
After approval, you collect your Turkish national ID card and apply for your passport. Passports are valid for 10 years.
Costs of the Turkish Citizenship Program 2026
| Cost Item | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum property investment | $400,000 USD |
| Title deed transfer tax (TAPU) | ~4% of declared value |
| SPK appraisal fee | $300–$500 USD |
| Legal / citizenship application fees | $2,000–$5,000 USD |
| Translation and notarisation | $500–$1,000 USD |
| Passport fees (per person) | ~$100 USD |
| Total additional costs | ~$20,000–$25,000 USD |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell the property after getting citizenship?
You must hold the property for 3 years from the date of TAPU annotation. After 3 years, you are free to sell, and your citizenship is unaffected — it is permanent.
Can I buy multiple cheaper properties to reach $400,000?
Yes — you can combine multiple properties to meet the threshold, provided they are all purchased simultaneously and registered together under a single citizenship application.
Is my family included automatically?
Yes. Your spouse and children under 18 are included in the same application at no additional investment cost.
Do I need to visit Turkey to complete the process?
At least one visit is strongly recommended for biometric data collection, though some steps can be completed through a Power of Attorney.
Can I rent out the property during the 3-year holding period?
Yes — you can rent the property on any basis (long-term or short-term/Airbnb) during the entire 3-year holding period.
Why Choose Sun & Sands?
Since 2010, Sun & Sands has guided investors from the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia, and beyond through the Turkish property market. Our in-house legal team manages every aspect of the citizenship application alongside your property purchase.
- ✅ 15+ years of Turkey real estate experience
- ✅ In-house licensed legal team
- ✅ Portfolio of 5,000+ verified properties
- ✅ Offices in Istanbul, Izmit, and Dubai
- ✅ Multilingual team (English, Arabic, Farsi, Turkish)
- ✅ Fixed-fee citizenship packages — no surprises
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Last updated: June 2026.